Always an Open Door

"With what shall I come before God, and bow myself before God on high? God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does God require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:6,8)

Sometimes an open door is all you need. You're not looking for a church to tell you its own version of right and wrong.

Reconnect your spirit without disconnecting your mind.

You're not looking for a church that has all the answers. Or a church that includes only the right kind of people. You're looking for a church where you can bring your doubts,your questions, your fears, and find a welcoming, open community willing to share them.

The doors to our churches are always open and within, you will find a quiet place for prayer and a nurturing community ready to help you find your voice and your vocation to the world in Christ's name. Come and see.

Candidates for Bishop Suffragan Announced

In accordance with the Canons and Constitutions of the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Maryland, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland today announced its slate of three nominees for the office of Bishop Suffragan of Maryland.

For videos and photographs, and detailed biographies, resumes and letters of introduction please visit bishopsearchmd.org.

The Reverend Canon Heather Cook, 57, is the canon to the ordinary in the Diocese of Easton, where she works closely with the bishop around transition, communication and reconciliation. Cook's life work has been to create connections and build community around the Good News of God's love, and she is committed to helping the Church re-tool for greater effectiveness in a post-Christendom society.

The Reverend Nancy Gossling, 61, is currently on a discernment sabbatical after having completed a ministry experience at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland and a Spanish immersion course in Barcelona, Spain. Gossling served as the rector of St. James' Church in Glastonbury, Connecticut, until 2012, and offers her energy and visionary leadership to empower the mission and ministry of God's people.

The Reverend Canon Victoria Sirota, 64, is the canon pastor and vicar of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City. Sirota previously served as vicar of the Church of the Holy Nativity, Pimlico (Baltimore City). She is a professional musician, co-founder of the Order of Urban Missioners in Baltimore and New York City, and has a commitment to preaching, pastoral care and congregational growth.

The nominees have been presented by a Search Committee comprised of 15 individuals - six clergy and nine laypeople - who represent the diversity of the many congregations within the diocese.The search process began in May 2013.

"Eight months ago the Standing Committee charged the Search Committee with presenting to the diocese a slate of qualified and diverse nominees for Bishop Suffragan. The Standing Committee was excited to learn who the Search Committee discerned for the slate of Bishop Suffragan at our meeting on Thursday, January 30th," said the Reverend Dina van Klaveren, president of the Standing Committee. "As the co-chairs of the Search Committee presented the candidates and described the gifts and experiences that qualified them to be on the slate for election, the Standing Committee was pleased with the candidates presented and the process through which they were discerned. We unanimously accepted the slate of nominees. On behalf of the Standing Committee, I express profound gratitude to the Search Committee for their prayerful and productive work together. The Search Committee, made up of clergy and lay representatives from across our diocese, has presented a slate to the Diocese of Maryland of three talented and qualified nominees, who have served the Church in a variety of ministry settings."

It's in the Bag! Needs You!

It's in the Bag! is growing and needs your help to provide food for at-risk children in the elementary schools of Garrett County. Your donation in any amount will help feed a hungry child over the weekend during the school year. Children who are well fed over the weekend show up at school on Monday ready to learn and studies show that these children do better when they are well nourished. A donation of $280 will feed a child for the entire school year. We're working to raise $15,000 between now and the start of the new school year. Will you help? Click on the donate button and you will be responsible for a child ready to be educated and grow.